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News
Archive - Article 56
Operation Compassion Sends Disaster Relief to Jackson, TN
5/9/03
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New South
Building - windows broken and superstructure crack.
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Sunday, May 4, 2003 was a beautiful day. The sun was high and
bright in the sky throughout the entire day. Shortly after the
evening worship service, Richard Felts, Pastor of Parkway Church
of God, was sitting in his office reflecting on the events of
the day. Suddenly, it sounded as though the church was coming
under attack! Hail began pounding the church and the cars left
in the parking lot. Trees began to bend and snap like twigs.
Everyone ran for cover!
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Downtown
Post Office destroyed.
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When everything settled down, the community of Jackson, TN and
Madison County had been devastated by a tornado that cut a 65-mile
path. The Police Department, Post Office, Federal Building and
several churches and historical sites had been destroyed. Hundreds
of homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged. Commercial
buildings and manufacturing plants had been utterly destroyed.
Electricity, water and telephone services, including cell phone,
was non-existent. In a few short minutes, Madison County and
Jackson was turned into a large debris field.
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Downtown
Jackson, TN - total destruction and beginning
the debris
cleanup.
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As Monday morning dawned, the news of destruction had taken a
human toll. Fourteen lives were confirmed dead and four were
missing. More than 27,000 homes were without power and water
and many communities were accessible only by four wheelers. City
and county officials were faced with utility services being cutoff
for seven to ten days. In fact, some isolated areas have not
been accessed by Emergency Services.
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Mother Liberty
CME Church destroyed.
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As early morning gave way to mid-morning, Operation Compassion
had all ready assessed the emergency relief need and had a semi
truck loaded with blankets food and water headed to Jackson.
Pastor Richard Felts, serving as Field Coordinator for Operation
Compassion, had secured a donated warehouse that was left untouched
by the tornado. This warehouse, donated by Tim Smith, owner of
Hub Express Warehouse Distribution, will serve as the distribution
center for the local relief effort, including local vehicles
for distribution.
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Episcopal
Chruch destroyed.
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Madison County Mayor Jerry Gist and Jackson Mayor Farmer closed
the area to everyone but emergency personnel. Working with
the Mayor’s office, Pastor Felts was able to tour all the
affected areas in order to organize volunteers to help supply families
with the necessities. Because of the dire need for fresh drinking
water, the Red Cross was requesting water from Operation Compassion.
Currently, Operation Compassion and its partners have committed
to send five semi trucks loaded with blankets, water, food, hygiene
articles and diapers. The need in Jackson and Madison County is
great. There are many that have lost everything. Genevieve Dunaway
has two children on breathing machines. Without power, her children
struggle to breathe. Yet, this little family was turned away at
emergency shelters because they are not equipped to handle special
needs.
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Pastor Richard
Felts, Field Coordinator, Operation Compassion and Tim
Smith, Owner, Hub Express
Warehouse Distributors.
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During the next several days, weeks and months ahead, Operation
Compassion has pledged to be in Jackson and Madison County serving
this devastated community in any manner possible. Such a massive
relief and recovery effort will take the partnerships of many
across the country. Operation Compassion would like to include
you this relief effort.
Financial donations can be sent to our offices (address below)
and any donations of large quantities of product, such as water,
diapers, food, hygiene articles or similar products, please call
our office for information.
Tim Burdashaw
Communications
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
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